Following Gov. Kasich’s veto last year, legislative attacks on advanced energy continue as the House fast-tracks bill that would cost Ohio a $10 billion market opportunity from reinstated energy standards, business group says

Columbus, Ohio, March 21, 2017—Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy provided the following statement and testimony about Ohio’s House Public Utilities Committee hearing on House Bill 114, a bill that is considered worse for the advanced energy industry than HB554, the bill vetoed by Gov. Kasich last year. According to AEE, HB114 would be a job-killer in Ohio, depriving the state of $10 billion in advanced energy market opportunities created by reinstatement of the state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency standards January 1, as a result of the Governor’s veto.

“After a strong signal from Gov. Kasich that Ohio is open for business in advanced energy, it is unfortunate that the House is trying to rush through legislation that will send exactly the opposite signal,” said Ray Fakhoury, State Policy Associate at Advanced Energy Economy (AEE). “HB 114 is being offered as an economic benefit to Ohio, but it’s not. HB 114 is a job-killer that will also cost consumers on their electric bills.”

“As a major employer in northwest Ohio and a center of solar technology innovation, we oppose HB114," said Mike Koralewski, Sr. Vice President of Global Manufacturing at First Solar. "Our Perrysburg facility is the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing site in the United States. House Bill 114 would be a step backward for Ohio, making it more difficult to leverage increasingly competitive, locally manufactured utility-scale solar projects that customers large and small demand in greater numbers every year." 

About Advanced Energy Economy
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. AEE and its State and Regional Partner organizations are active in 27 states across the country, representing more than 1,000 companies and organizations in the advanced energy industry. Visit AEE online at www.aee.net.

Background Materials:

• AEE Submitted Testimony on House Bill 114 Before the Ohio House Public Utilities Committee, March 21, 2017, is here.